Qantas Delays/Cancellations

[Melburnian1]

Saturday 5 January's QF26 departed HND at 0004 on Sunday 6. SYD arrival is estimated as 1100, 85 late, a little earlier than had been suggested yesterday with the second consecutive overnight delay to QF25.

Saturday's delayed QF27 from SYD to SCL arrived at 1314 hours,. 124 late with the return QF28 B744 pushing back in Chile at 1528, 113 late. Today (Sunday 6) SYD arrival is estimated at 1936 hours, 116 minutes tardy.

The late QF1 from Saturday ex SYD was in SIN from 01`57 to 0331 this morning, so QF's suggestion of just a 65 minute stop proved optimistic as I surmised yesterday. LHR arrival on Sunday 6 has blown out to a predicted 1010 hours, 235 late.

QF108 departed PEK this morning at 0101 hours, 76 late for projected SYD afternoon arrival at 1548, 93 minutes tardy.

QF117 on Sunday 6 is expected to depart SYD 70 late at 1700 hours.

 

[Melburnian1]

Sunday 6 January 2019 finds QF33, the 0930 hours SYD - KIX delayed to an expected 1130 hours departure, so QF34 tonight returning to SYD as the redeye will be behind schedule.

B738 VH0-VZU is operating as QF6117, having taken off from SYD at 1041 hours heading for ADL. This must be a 'ferry' (empty) repositioning flight given yesterday's storms in Sydney.

UPDATE: QF33 departed at 1150. Estimated KIX arrival is 1920, 110 minutes tardy.

 

[Melburnian1]

In further on Sunday 6 January 2019, QF81 departed SYD 54 late at 1224 early this afternoon with SIN estimated at gate time 1725 hours, 40 minutes behind the schedule.

The SYD - SCL QF27 B744 pushed back 67 late at 1357 for an expected arrival, same day, at 1143, 33 late. This will slightly delay the return QF28's departure.

As well as the huge overnight delay to QF73 (the scheduled Saturday late afternoon departure ex SYD at 1755 for SFO), today's - 6 January is delayed as well, but to 2115 hours rather than overnight.

QF108 (PEK to SYD) is arriving on Sunday at 1528, 73 late with A332 VH-EBR.

The CNS down to SYD QF973 (A333 VH-QPA) should arrive at 1658 hours, 58 minutes behind schedule. Although this aircraft arrived 20 minutes early at 0625 on 6 January on QF34 ex KIX, it subsequently after transferring to the domestic terminal took off at 1033, 93 minutes after timetabled push back, on QF922 from SYD to CNS.

 

[Melburnian1]

QF73D, the overnight delayed QF73 meant to depart SYD on Saturday 5 January at 1755 took off on Sunday 6 at 1533 with B744 VH-OEF. Estimated arrival on Sunday 6 is 0946 hours, 1281 minutes late (or almost 21.5 hours). QF74D should depart at 1135 for arrival in SYD on Monday 7 at 2105 hours instead of 0610 hours, so 895 minutes late. Anyone with connections from QF74D will miss them unless they were rebooked on another flight ex SFO given the big delay. OEF had been in SYD since 2203 hours last night (Saturday 5) on the HNL - SYD QF4 that due to the storms in Sydney had to divert to BNE.

Saturday night's QF25 (2135 hours SYD - HND) that was the second consecutive one delayed overnight departed SYD at 1525 on Sunday 6 January with B744 VH-OEJ. This aircraft arrived SYD at 1102 this morning on the delayed QF26 ex HND, so 'yo-yoing' is the go. It was meant to depart this afternoon as QF25D at 1445 but did not take off until 1547. It is unlikely to be in HND prior to 2235, so tonight's QF26, the 2200 hours HND - SYD faces a post-0015 hours Monday 7 departure from the Japanese major airport.

 

[mrsterryn]

QF25 seems to be having so much trouble

 

[Melburnian1]

QF25 seems to be having so much trouble

Agree, but passengers on QF73/74 would be also feeling rather miffed.

There will be reasons but as Flyerqf said, it's not clear to those outside QF why last night QF3/4 SYD - HNL and return on that leisure route were prioritised above the important QF25/QF26 SYD - HND and return route. 'The 3' departed: 'the 25' was delayed overnight until 1500 plus this afternoon, for the second consecutive day.

I try never to arrange something urgent on the ticketed day of arrival. Not all have this luxury: many business passengers, leisure travellers with limited duration holidays and those travelling to funerals (especially, given the normal lack of much advance notice) and also to weddings and in the latter case trying to take the least amount of days off from work.

Yet not a single word as far as I know in the Australian mainstream media about how QF has 1800 plus passengers adversely affected by QF25/26/73/74 delays.

Given language difficulties one can't be sure as to the reaction of Japanese travellers on these delayed QF25s/26s. Bewilderment? Annoyance? "Typical Australian solthfulness?" Or just its equivalent of the British stiff upper lip?

Too many Australian "opinion makers" are heavily (if sometimes subtly) influenced by Chairman's Lounge membership or other tactics from this airline that contrary to some Australians' apparent belief is not some man-made substitute for God.

By international standards, QFi has shocking punctuality on some of its major routes. We don't need to pose the question as to whether JL or NH run late, so often, including delays of more than 12 hours.

Even medium haul routes to and from Asia suffer. QF23/24 was a standout for all the wrong reasons in 2018 with many departures from SYD to BKK badly late, and the return redeye naturally similarly afflicted.

Lift your game Qantas. Alan Joyce loves the revenue from fully booked planes at holiday times given what can be high yields per seat, so how about reality matching what the timetables commit to?

It's telling that a respected AFF contributor who is about to retire has not chosen QF for a forthcoming holiday, but SQ.

 

[OATEK]

It's telling that a respected AFF contributor who is about to retire has not chosen QF for a forthcoming holiday, but SQ.

I think that has more to do with where his points are stored, as he doesn't get points and SC for flying QF's fleet.

But there is no doubt that punctuality, driven heavily in recent years by dropping the 747s, is a major concern. I would generally allow a long transit in Asia if connecting from QF to another airline.

 

[Melburnian1]

...
But there is no doubt that punctuality, driven heavily in recent years by dropping the 747s, is a major concern. I would generally allow a long transit in Asia if connecting from QF to another airline.

AFF member JohnPhelan (and maybe a couple of others) long ago questioned the wisdom of QF scrapping two of its 747s.

We don't have a window into the spare parts situation or costs of keeping spare but fully depreciated aircraft (presumably not cheap) but his observation was prescient. Any spares may not be in the right place when required, but this QF move to run the long haul fleet fully at busier times has dramatically hit timekeeping, and that's a metric the more informed passengers observe.

 

[Melburnian1]

Continuing with Sunday 6 January 2019, QF4 from HNL (B744 VH-OJS) should arrive in SYD at 1940 hours, 150 minutes late. The aircraft may then operate the delayed 1755 hours SYD - SFO QF73 that is predicted to push back at 2115. This seems a little optimistic: 2125 or later may be realistic.

 

[jb747]

It's telling that a respected AFF contributor who is about to retire has not chosen QF for a forthcoming holiday, but SQ.

Singair was chosen simply because it went to the places I was interested in going, and I could get decent seats using my Amex points. I also have a full fare trip booked with QF, so don't read too much into those choices.

There would be much more reason to be shocked if I'd been prepared to use Jetstar, Air Asia, anything Korean, or Indonesian...etc.

 

[Melburnian1]

The delayed Sunday 6 January QF73 (1755 ex SYD) pushed back at 2151 hours, 36 later than Qantas had estimated. SFO arrival should be 1616 hours, 231 minutes late.B744 VH-OJS that arrived in SYD tonight on QF4 ex HNL has the honours.

The overnight delayed QF25 (SYD - HND) that departed SYD this afternoon as noted above should arrive at 2240. This means QF26, the 2200 hours HND - SYD should be able to depart at about 0025 on Monday 7.

Because of the tardy QF33 on Sunday (see a few posts back), QF34 is predicted to depart KIX at 2110 hours, 130 minutes behind the timetavle with Monday 7 arrival suggested as 0845, two hours late.

Saturday 5 January's LAX - MEL, the scheduled 2255 hours QF94 departed 102 minutes late at 0037 on Sunday 6. It is however expected to make up a lot of time on a gate-to-gate basis with Monday 7 arrival expected at 1019, just 29 minutes tardy, so 73 minutes less than the timetable allows from start to stop.

QF12, the Saturday 2230 LAX - MEL took off at 0018 on Sunday, so on Monday 7 is arriving SYD with VH-OQD at about 0912 hours, 37 late.

 

[mrsterryn]

Tonight's QF25 seem to leave only 21 mins late ?

 

[Melburnian1]

Tonight's QF25 seem to leave only 21 mins late ?

Correct. On many other occasions, this flight has arrived HND early. A mate who occasionally patronises it suggests it's been known to arrive well in advance of 0430 hours, which for his purposes is too early, but Japan has strict slot limitations on when these flights can land, or as the case may be, depart, as AFF member Himeno always reminds us.

If my maths is correct, with one B744 in HKG (maintenance since 31 December 2018 - VH-OJU - QF should have sufficient B744s in Sydney tomorrow (Monday 7 January) to operate QF63 to JNB, QF73 to SFO, QF75 to YVR (seasonal flight) and QF3 to HNL. However there are no spares should there be a problem with one Jumbo.

 

[Melburnian1]

Although Sunday 6 January's QF23 (SYD - BKK) was only 12 minutes late arriving at 1822 hours, the return redeye QF24 (A333 VH-QPJ) encountered a significant delay as it pushed back at 1955 hours, 115 minutes late. Monday 7 SYD arrival is to be 0937 hours, 127 late.

The 1030 hours SYD - MEL, QF425, was cancelled.

QF43 this afternoon (1655 hours SYD - DPS) is expected to depart 95 minutes tardy at 1830.

 

[Melburnian1]

The delayed Saturday late afternoon QF73D, SYD - SFO that pushed back in SYD on Sunday 6 January at 1520 arrived at 0958 on Sunday instead of 1225 on Saturday. QF74D then departed at 1329 hours from SFO with SYD Monday 7 evening arrival suggested at 2242, just before curfew, instead of 0610 this morning, so 992 minutes late. Many with connections to elsewhere in Oz (or internationally) will have to stay overnight in Sydney, meaning a greater than 24 hour delay to their destination arrival.

Monday 7 January sees QF1949 (B717 VH-NXM, the 0740 hours CNS across to ASP that was in the sky at 0835) suggested as arriving at 1015 hours, 45 late.

QF38 (SIN down to MEL) should arrive at 1110, 55 late with A333 VH-QPH.

With two consecutive delays to QF25 northbound resulting in delays southbound to the HND - SYD, QF26, it's no surprise that B744 VH-OEJ is arriving at 1115 hours, 100 minutes late.

 

[Melburnian1]

In more re Monday 7 January, QF93 pushed back in MEL 21 late at 1116 hours but arrival in LAX, same day, is predicted as 0657, 32 late.

The long B744 flight from SYD to JNB was off blocks at 1217 hours, 42 late with consequent arrival in the South African city suggested as 1713, 38 late.

Earlier, QF42 from CGK arrived SYD at 0708, 53 late as yesterday, A333 VH-QPG took off from SYD at 1551, 121 minutes after timetabled push back.

 

[Melburnian1]

Sunday 6 January's QF12 departed JFK only five minutes behind time at 1805, a good job in winter, but LAX arrival is estimated at 2125, half an hour late. This may slightly delay the different aircraft (an A388 not B789) on the second sector QF12 onwards to SYD, the scheduled 2230 hours ex LAX.

On Monday 7, QF673 (B738 VH-XZK, the 1215 hours BNE for the long trip across to PER that was in the sky at 1302) should arrive at 1612 hours, 42 late.

 

[Melburnian1]

It was showing as on time earlier this afternoon, but QF73, the B744 at a scheduled 1755 from SYD on Monday 7 January to SFO has been altered to depart at 1930. This is the third day that this flight has/is to run late, although the other two delays - particularly Saturday's when it departed on Sunday afternoon - have been much longer.

Earlier today, the A388 on QF35 (1220 hours lunchtime MEL up to SIN) departed 36 late with SIN arrival estimated as 35 minutes tardy at 1740 local time.

UPDATE: QF73 managed to commence pushback at 1921, taking off at 1941 hours, so arrival in SFO is estimated as 1338, 73 late. VH-OEI is the B744.

QF43 from SYD to DPS (A332 VH-EBJ), the 1655 hours departed at 1839, 104 late with arrival suggested as 2145, 95 minutes behind the schedule. The aircraft had arrived in SYD three minutes early at 1627 on QF642, the 0920 hours from PER across the continent. Given that the plane had to transfer terminals, it's good to achieve unloading domestically, moving it and then loading up for DPS in little more than two hours. This gives every appearance of another plane having become unavailable for QF43 and EBJ being called in to fill a schedule hole. At least it is running.

 

[Melburnian1]

In still more on Monday 7 January, QF25 - bedevilled by recent overnight delays - departed SYD 22 late at 2157 with HND arrival on Tuesday 8 estimated as 0533, 33 minutes behind the timetable. VH-OEG is the B744, having not spent long in SYD tonight after arriving 32 late at 1812 hours from SCL.

 

[Melburnian1]

Earlier on Tuesday 8 January 2019, QF19 (1225 hours SYD to MNL) departed at 1405 with the 1730 hours timetabled arrival becoming 1905 by Qantas' reckoning, but a little later as MNL is quite busy. My guess is 1918: A332 VH-EBS has the task.

This will delay the 1900 hours departure of redeye QF20 to about 2030.

QF79 departed MEL 29 late at 0949, arriving NRT half an hour behind at 1810.

The B744 on QF63 was very badly delayed, with this 1135 hours departure becoming 1804 early this evening, 389 minutes late. B744 VH-OEE had arrived SYD a minute early on QF64 at 1534 and was then sent back whence it had come.

JNB arrival has become 2315 instead of 1635. QF64 is expected to depart the South African major airport at 0105 on Wednesday 9 instead of 1850 tonight, 375 late with SYD arrival tomorrow night at 2140 instead of the usual mid afternoon 1535. This is the worst late running of QF63/QF64 for some weeks if not longer if my memory is correct. The JNB estimated turnaround of 110 minutes is achievable, as the quickest I have seen internationally is around 138, but it doesn't leave huge margin for error given the Sydney 2300 hours curfew.

QF117 (1550 hours afternoon flight SYD to HKG) was cancelled. QF118, the 2335 hours late Tuesday night HKG back down to SYD will depart 22.5 hours late at 2200 on Wednesday 9 January night.

'The 73' was also delayed, with this SYD - SFO B744 departed 82 late at 1917, and expected arrival 1325 same day, an hour behind schedule. Aircraft B744 VH-OEH arrived this afternoon at 1645 on QF3 ex HNL, 25 early. It isn't normal for a scheduled 1710 hours international arrival to form a 1755 hours departure.

The B789 on 'the 12' transcon from JFK across to LAX arrived the latter two minutes late at 2127 on Monday 7 January, but the connecting A388 on the QF12 continuation didn't fare as well with departure at 0008 hours today (Tuesday 8) meaning SYD projected arrival on Wednesday 9 at 1003 hours, 88 minutes behind the eight ball.